Biografie
Jerry Kowalsky (*1972) is a dutch artist who creates large scale portraits and sculptures. His interest in the development of human social behavior and its values comes forth in the themes of his work. In „The incident at the flower shop” he questions the effects of Facebook using 150 profile pictures of his FB friends, in „We are born” he uses children portrait of famous and infamous people as they were still infants to compare them to see if there are signs of the direction they chose in their adult lives.
His artworks are, on the one hand touchingly beautiful, on the other hand (painfully) confronting. He likes to challenge the audience and leaves us orphaned with a mix of conflicting feelings and thoughts. His works are saturated with irony, mental inertia, clichés and bad jokes.
Kowalsky studied fine arts and sculpting at the Maastricht Art Academy. In 2001 he received a grant by the Mondriaan Foundation and started building his career in Amsterdam, at that time still working under his birth name Jeroen Cremers. Jerry Kowalsky currently lives and works in Berlin
Werk
CV
Born 1972, Reuver, the Netherlands
Studied sculpture at the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design 1996 -2000
Lives and works in Berlin and Amsterdam
EXHIBITIONS ( selected )
2017
The straw that broke the camel’s back – Odapark, Venray / The Netherlands – solo
Events close to crisispoint – Kleiner Salon, Berlin / Germany – solo
Wir nennen des Arbeit – Opere Scelte Gallery, Turin / Italy – group show
Schall und Rauch – Kommunale Galerie im Boulevard, Berlin / Germany – duo show
Imago Mundi Dutch Collection – Benetton Foundation, Treviso / Italy – group show
6 voor 6 – Loods 6, Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – group show
The darkrooms exhibition – Wilner Brauerei, Berlin / Germany – group show/ initiator
Rausch – Schaufenster, Berlin / Germany – group show
2016
Dark matters – Tac, Eindhoven / The Netherlands – group show
A bad end story – Musik Brauerei, Berlin / Germany – group show
Melange – Bar Babette, Berlin / Germany – group show
The Dark Rooms – Project Space The Willner Brauerei, Berlin / Germany – group show/initiator
Rotterdam contemporary – Rotterdam / The Netherlands – Peer Gallery / Art Fair
2015
Dark matter – TAC, Eindhoven / The Netherlands – group show
We are born – Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – solo show
Cherrie tomato pony rider – Atelier Néerlandais, Paris / France – group show
Selfie – Schaufenster Berlin / Germany – group show
Retro perspective: The range of the eye – Vriend van Bavink Gallery, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – group show
KunstRAi – Rai, Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – Art Fair
IAMsterdamYOUBErlin – St. Johannes Evangelist Church, Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Berlin / Germany – Art Fair
Rotterdam Contemporary – Cruise Terminal Rotterdam, Peer Gallery, Rotterdam / The Netherlands – Art Fair
2014
360minutes art – Youngeun Hall of the Contemporary Art Museum Seoul, Seoul / South Korea – group show
Incident at the flower shop – Fine and Raw Bushwick, New York / US – Solo show
Kopstukken – Huis met de hoofden Amsterdam, Vriend van Bavink Gallery, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – group show
Het Portret – Peer Gallery, Maastricht / The Netherlands – group show
Kanker – Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – group show
Witchcraft – Peer Gallery, Maastricht / The Netherlands – soloshow
2013
The Illustrated Version – Kelderman van Noort, Eindhoven / the Netherlands – groupshow
Horse stories – Kreuzberg Pavilion, Berlin / Germany – groupshow
2010
HAFF Hollands Animation Film Festival – Utrecht / The Netherlands – Dutch short film festival
De illustration Bienale – de Toneelschuur, Haarlem / The Netherlands – animationshow
Drawn – The T Room Gallery, Berlin / Germany – group show
Fragmented – Broedplaats Jongens van het Dok, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – solo
Bona Fide Dead Level –The T-Room galery, Berlin / Germany – solo
10 years B32 Overview exhibition + catalogus presentation – B32, Maastricht / The Netherlands – group show
Scotty, what about the beamer – CBKU, Utrecht / The Netherlands – group show
2008
Independent Drawing Gig Final 2008 – Volkskrant gebouw, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – group show
Independent Drawing Gig 4 – The Hague / The Netherlands – group show
Independent Drawing Gig 4 – The Ghosthouse, Skopje / Macedonia – group show
2007
Independent Drawing Gig 3 – Quartair, The Hague / The Netherlands – group show
2004
Presentation D-magazine – Jan van Eyck Academy, Maastricht / The Netherlands – group show
Promised Land – Solo exhibition – B32, Maastricht / The Netherlands – solo
2002
Sold – Christies Auction house Amsterdam and Jim Beard, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – group show and auction
I can feel their blue hands touching me – Traders Pop Gallery, Maastricht / The Netherlands – solo
2000
Mama says it’s OK! – Hot Red gallery, The Hague / The Netherlands – solo
Initiaded Projects
2017 The Dark Rooms Exhibition – Wilner Brauerei – Berlin / Germany – group show
2016 The Dark Rooms Exhibition – Wilner Brauerei – Berlin / Germany – group show2010 Drawn – The Tearoom gallery– Berlin / Germany – group show
2008 Independent Drawing Gig Final 2008 – Volkskrant gebouw, Amsterdam / The Netherlands – group show
Grants
2001-2002 Art grant Mondrian Fund